Memory Tips for Students - Prof. M.S.Rao

“Some memories are realities, and are better than anything that can ever happen to one again.” - Willa Cather



People often confuse between weak memory and poor recollection. They complain of weak memory. In fact, it is not weak memory but poor collection of information. How sad it is when you cannot recall the name of a person you met in the past. What impression does it convey to other person when you regrettably say that you forgot his name?

In this busy and competitive world people forget the telephone numbers, passwords and pin numbers. It not only stops the work but also causes irritation for not remembering. Sometimes, you curse yourself for not remembering the things. There are several tools and techniques by which you can improve your memory. It is not a big challenge but it requires little more concentration and effort. Human brain is highly complex. You must know how to make use of it to improve your memory. In this context, it is desirable to know briefly about memory.


What is Memory?

“Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us” – Oscar Wilde.

Memory is a mental activity where in stored information is recalled and retrieved as and when required. It is divided into two types: short-term and long-term. In short-term memory, the information is stored for a few seconds or minutes. In contrast, in long-term memory, the information is stored for longer duration. When people listen to others, they feed in their memory automatically whether to register for short-term or long-term depending on the importance of information.


Memory Tips:

"All improvement in memory consists of one's habitual method of recording facts" - Dr. William James.

• Open up your mind and instruct to encode new information.
• Concentration is the key to good memory. Explore ways to enhance your concentration.
• Stay focused on one thing at a time. Don’t go for multitasking. Whenever you feel that the information is important you need to put in more efforts and concentration so that you can remember well.
• Avoid noises, interruptions and external disturbances while listening.
• Do things slowly as it reinforces your memory.
• Call people by names when introduced. For instance, “It is my pleasure to meet you, Robert”. Associate name of the people with well known people you have already registered in your mind for better retention. Create visual pictures in your mind.
• When you speak louder you can remember better as you listen to your own voice. Maintain diary to jot down the important information.
• Prioritize the information while receiving. It helps in retaining the importance information. Instead of typing the information, you may write with your hand as the muscular memory will be activated resulting into storing the information.
• There are several games on television and online to enhance your memory. Playing the same will prove to be helpful.
• Assimilate the information rather than reading the content for the sake of reading. It aids your memory.
• If you find it difficult to memorize large content, you can break it into small parts. Memorize each small part and mentally compile the same for final memorization.
• Relate the information with your real live events through pictorial visualization as it helps in recollection.
• Research reveals that humans can remember between 5 to 9 items at a time. If you can break the information between 5 to 9 items then it becomes easy for you to remember and recollect.
• People have natural tendency to remember rhymes and rhythms. Therefore, convert your content accordingly for effective memory.
• Go to bed without overly worried about anything. If you go to bed thinking about the problems then you get better solutions by the next day morning.
• Relax your mind when blocked with memory recall. Engage your mind on other issues. To your surprise you will recall whatever you wanted as your brain searches for the information.
• Avoid anxiety and stress as it blocks your memory. Adopt relaxation techniques.
• Make use of your inner dialogue. Every individual involves in self-talk which is also known as inner dialogue. Repeated conversation within your mind reinforces and aids your memory.
• When your talk new concepts with others, it not only improves your communication skills but also aids in memorizing complicated information.
• The way you exercise your body you should exercise your memory muscles.
• Finally, take nutritious food as it keeps your body and mind healthy. It aids in effective memory.


Memory Techniques for Students:

“The true art of memory is the art of attention.” – Samuel Johnson.

1. Students should review the information they receive in the classroom within a day so that they can retain the same effectively. Jotting down the points taught during the class by teacher helps them to review and revise immediately.
2. Students should focus on the key words while reading the content as it helps them in analyzing, understanding and memorizing the content. Read the content repeatedly if possible.
3. Develop your own mnemonic device where in the first letters of each word have to be framed as a word for better recalling. It helps students especially during examinations.
4. Use highlighters and colored pens while reading the text and apply the same depending on the importance and priority of the content. It helps in saving time and also in better memory.
5. Find out what kind of senses would be comfortable and ideal for you and exploit the same for better memory.
6. “A picture is worth thousand words” goes the saying. Use pictures, graphs and charts to help your memory.
7. Write and rewrite the content repeatedly as it enriches your content apart from aiding your memory.


Conclusion:

“Memory is the mother of all wisdom” – Aeschylus.

Memory is not the privilege of a gifted few. If you know that it is a skill you can cultivate easily. But you need to put in efforts regularly for achieving amazing results. Memory tips help everyone including children, students and working people for achieving success. We all are blessed with good memory. Unfortunately, we don’t realize and exploit. Effective utilization of memory helps in better interpersonal relations, builds bridges and ensures all round success.


The End